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TTC workers say new uniform colours are too Habs-like

TTC workers' union president Bob Kinnear told the CBC his members are unhappy with proposed new uniforms in red, blue and white and might boycot the shirts if imposed on them. (ANDREW FRANCIS WALLACE / TORONTO STAR) | Order this photo

Proposals for new transit workers' uniforms have been leaking out over the past weeks. The union representing Toronto transit workers isn't impressed with the red, blue and white colour scheme, saying it's too close to the Montreal Canadiens' colours. (TRANSIT UNION PHOTO)

Toronto transit workers are irked that proposed new uniforms have a red, blue and white colour scheme--the same as the Montreal Canadiens. Transit commission boss Andy Byford says the designs, photos of which circulated among workers, aren't final. (TRANSIT UNION PHOTO)

Toronto transit workers are irked over proposed new uniforms, such as this shirt, that feature the colours of the Montreal Canadiens. TTC officials say designs aren't final and they'll take workers' protests into consideration. (TRANSIT UNION PHOTO)

Toronto transit workers aren't happy with these proposals for new uniforms, in the red, white and blue of the Montreal Canadiens. The plans aren't final. Transit commission boss Andy Byford said red will likely be incorporated to reflect the TTC’s traditional colour and the Canadian flag, while his preference is a "predominantly blue" uniform. (TRANSIT UNION PHOTO)

The union representing Toronto's transit workers isn't impressed with these proposed designs for new uniforms, saying the colours too closely resemble those of the Montreal Canadiens. The transit commission is rolling out new uniforms in January, though final designs aren't decided yet. (TRANSIT UNION PHOTO)

Toronto transit workers' protests over proposed new uniforms featuring a Habs-like colour scheme drew mirth from south of the border, with one CBS blogger writing, "This is so Canada." (TRANSIT UNION PHOTO)

Toronto transit workers are irked over proposed new uniforms that would see operators decked out in the colours of the Montreal Canadiens.

Photos of a red, white and blue colour scheme on golf shirts and ball caps have circulated among TTC staff, some of whom complain the designs too closely reflect the Toronto Maple Leafs’ rival hockey team.

Bob Kinnear, president of the union that represents TTC operators, told CBC the colours are “very dissatisfying to our members here in Toronto” and that if the transit commission imposed them, workers would likely boycott the shirts.

TTC CEO Andy Byford said in a statement the uniforms are nothing more than a proposal and a final design hasn’t been agreed on yet.

Red will likely be incorporated to reflect the TTC’s traditional colour and the Canadian flag, said Byford.

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“For what it’s worth, though, I have favoured a predominantly blue uniform from the start as I see this as professional, modern and smart,” said Byford.

Social media was abuzz with the story, with some users responding to the workers’ protest enthusiastically and others, not so much.

“Oh my goodness, is this for real? Seriously, TTC there are bigger things to worry about,” wrote one Twitter user.

South of the border, the CBS sports network picked up the story in a blog post starting with, “This is so Canada.”

It concluded: “Just in case you needed another reminder that they’re very serious about their hockey in Toronto, there you have it. Never cross the rivalry borders in Canada if you can help it.”

The TTC is replacing the caps, shirts, jackets, ties, trousers and scarves worn by its 5,000 employees starting in January. The official designs for the new uniforms are supposed to be unveiled at a fall fashion show, but hints as to what changes will be made have been leaking out for weeks.

TTC officials have made it clear that they’re ditching the maroon parkas operators wear during the winter.

The new uniforms are the first since the early 1990s, when grey trousers and light blue shirts replaced drab brown ensembles.

The transit commission allots about $1.8 million per year for uniforms.

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